Alicia Keys’ baby blessed by Zulu tribe

Pregnant singer Alicia Keys’ unborn baby has been blessed in a traditional Zulu ceremony during the star’s recent trip to South Africa with fiance Swizz Beatz.

The 29 year old is expecting her first child with the producer later this year, and now she has Zulu good fortune on her side.

Tribesmen gave the mom-to-be and her baby traditional African names as she joined hands with her future husband underneath a fig tree, dubbed the ‘healing tree’ by locals.

The tribal leaders agreed to bless mother and child as a thank you for the charity work Keys has done in the area – her Keep A Child Alive charity helps fund local organization Bobbi Bear, which aims to save youngsters whose parents have died of AIDS.

The charity’s director Jackie Bradfield tells Britain’s Daily Mail, “Alicia has been made part of the tribal family because she really reached out to the people here.

“Two female priests who practice a mix of Christianity and tribal custom chose new names for her and the unborn child as a mark of respect. The names were kept between them, but were chosen to reflect Alicia’s character.

“Alicia had to do a special dance with drums banging in the background, and was embraced by abused children who she has helped. She was chosen for the ceremony as a thank you, because she has done a lot to keep children’s lives afloat and for us to afford our support staff. Her partner came too – he held her hand and helped her sit down when she needed rest.”

Keys made the blessing a family affair – her mother and brother were part of the 50-strong crowd who watched the moving ceremony.

The “Fallin'” hitmaker was in South Africa on vacation after performing as part of the World Cup kick off celebrations earlier this month.